Private renal suites within an in-center facility

ABSTRACT

Private renal suites are offered within an in-center facility for out-patient dialysis treatment. A plurality of suites allow for amenities associated with different theme-oriented accommodations, such as resembling a room in a home, an office, or other theme-oriented accommodation, such as a seasonal theme, a sports theme, a child&#39;s setting, or a hobby enthusiast theme. Each treatment room is fabricated to replicate the themed setting while allowing the out-patient to be comfortable and relaxed, enjoy the themed atmosphere, or possibly perform work-related tasks during what is otherwise a difficult and stressful procedure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to private renal suites for accommodatingpatients undergoing dialysis therapy in a private setting. Moreparticularly, the invention relates to a suite of rooms at an in-centerfacility that allows for amenities associated with different themeoriented accommodations, such as resembling a room in a home, an office,or other theme-oriented accommodations in an out-patient setting forpatients needing treatment. Each treatment room is fabricated toreplicate a home living room setting, a home office setting, or otherthemed setting, including children themes for pediatric patients, toallow each patient to be comfortable and relaxed, or to possibly performwork-related tasks, participate in sedentary games, or otherdiversionary activities during what is otherwise a difficult andstressful procedure.

2. Description of Related Art

Dialysis is a life-preserving treatment for hundreds of thousands ofpeople in the United States with kidney failure. It is a type of renalreplacement therapy which is used to provide an artificial replacementfor loss of kidney functions. There are two main forms of dialysis,hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis, both of which are life supporttreatments of the blood. Dialysis does not treat kidney diseases.

Dialysis treatment generally refers to chronic dialysis given topatients who have reached a stage of kidney impairment that requiresdialysis to maintain life; or acute dialysis given to patients whorequire dialysis because of temporary kidney failure.

Hemodialysis relies on convective transport of a dialysate and utilizescounter-current flow, where the dialysate is flowing in the oppositedirection to blood flow in an extracorporeal circuit. Peritonealdialysis is based on the principle that the peritoneal membrane whichsurrounds the intestine can act as a natural semi-permeable membrane andthat, if a dialysate is instilled within the membrane through acatheter, intracorporeal dialysis can occur by diffusion.

Dialysis may be used for very sick patients who have recently lostkidney functions (acute renal failure) or for stable patients who havepermanently lost kidney functions (chronic or end-stage renal failure).As part of the treatment regimen, the patient may have to take severaldrugs to control blood pressure and other problems like anemia and highphosphorus levels. Many people who dialyze three times a week complainof feeling exhausted for hours after a session.

Typically, dialysis units are in the following types of facilities: a)an out-of-hospital, licensed facility which provides services on anout-patient basis to persons requiring dialysis on a short-term basis orfor a chronic condition, or training for home dialysis; b) a hospitalenvironment for a licensed hospital designed, equipped, and staffed tooffer dialysis therapy on an out-patient basis, and to provide trainingfor home dialysis, and renal transplantation as appropriate; and c) homedialysis.

A dialysis center comprises a highly specialized facility which providesfor the treatment of patients with irreversible renal insufficiencies.Treatment procedures require professional supervision by staffexperienced in renal pathophysiology. Generally, an in-centerhemodialysis treatment requires travel to a clinic three times a week,where the patient must sit in a chair for three to four hours each timewhile waiting for their blood to be cleaned. In-center hemodialysispatients must follow a strict schedule because the clinic treats threeto five shifts of patients in the course of the day. Someone who gets tothe clinic late often cannot make up the time by staying longer becausethe machine is needed for the next patient. This becomes a greaterinconvenience for the patients, and some have opted for home dialysistreatment, where the dialysis equipment is stored and operated in thepatient's home.

For in-center operations, licensing agencies usually expect that eachdialysis unit will be provided within a room having at least a patientbed, which typically is placed to have clearance of about three feet (3ft) on each side and front, a lounge chair located to permit clearanceof approximately three feet (3 ft) on each side and front, and privacycurtains or cubicle walls separating each patient.

Additionally, an isolation room is generally required havingapproximately a minimum of one-hundred square feet (100 sq. ft), with atoilet room, and an entry vestibule or outer room, containing sink,counter space, and storage space. A lavatory is commonly located withinthe isolation room. The isolation room is a part of the patient station.A separate entrance from inside the patient station to the isolationroom is also typically provided. In some instances, individuallycontrolled reading lights are provided for each patient station. Handwashing facilities are generally made convenient to the treatment area.

In some clinics, private bed stations are used. These are enclosedrooms, though still visually and audibly observable from the NurseStation, for patients requiring singular privacy or blood borneinfection isolation but not airborne infection isolation. These roomsaccommodate patients who might agitate other patients, or be causedanxiety by others, or who are known to have blood borne pathogens.

Cubicle bed stations are usually open for patients who have arrivedstretcher- or bed-bound but do not require isolation or singularprivacy. Cubicle bed stations are usually not in enclosed rooms. Cubiclechair stations are the most common dialysis station. They include amobile reclining chair for the patient.

A small but growing number of clinics offer home dialysis in addition tostandard dialysis treatments. The patient starts learning to dotreatments at the clinic, working with a dialysis nurse. Most people whodo home dialysis have helpers who train with them at the clinic. Thehelper can be a family member, neighbor, or close friend. Some programsdo not require a helper if the patient can do all the tasks alone.However, home treatment has inherent risks, including monitoring lowblood pressure and infection. The most serious risk is the possibilityof an air embolism—a condition in which air is introduced into the bloodstream accidentally, preventing the heart from adequately pumping blood.Another serious risk is blood loss if a catheter separates. In theabsence of professional assistance, these risks deter many from homedialysis. Other drawbacks of home dialysis include large, noisy dialysismachines in the patient's home, which generally requires a dedicatedspace for a treatment area. Also, training for home dialysis isapproximately an eight (8) week procedure, which puts an additionalburden on the new care-giver.

Furthermore, dialysis treatments in the home may necessitate plumbing orwiring modifications, and these changes may or may not be paid for byinsurance plans or by Medicare. It is also likely that home dialysiswill cause water and electricity bills to rise. A dedicated space willbe needed where a chair, dialysis machine, and water treatment tanks(depending on the machine) can be placed with access to water and adrain. The dialyzers will also need to be stored when not in use, alongwith bottles of dialysate, bleach and disinfectant, syringes, needles,medications, blood tubes, water test kits, and all other equipment andsupplies. Most often, a family member or friend trains to be a helper,although some people have hired dialysis nurses or technicians. Medicaredoes not pay for home hemodialysis helpers. A few clinics pay for them,but this is very rare. In most cases, people have paid out-of-pocket fora helper. Some have also offered free rent in a spare room in exchangefor a helper, or even traded helping tasks with another home dialysispatient.

Some additional negatives to conventional home dialysis treatmentinclude the following: a) requiring a care-giver friend or relative tobe there for each treatment can put added stress on the relationshipbetween the patient and the care-giver and/or cost the patient extramoney to hire someone; b) training can take several weeks, and thepatient and care-giver may need to take time off work to do it; c) atleast one room will be needed to store the machine and supplies; d) timewill be spent to set up the machine, clean it, and order supplies; e)the care-giver will need to learn to keep the patient cool, comfortable,and respond to problems that may arise; and f) typically two needlesticks are needed for each treatment, and the patient or the patient'scare-giver will need to learn how to place them.

Regardless of the negatives of home treatment, many patients stilldesire the comforts and amenities realized in a home setting duringtheir treatment hours at an in-center facility, which for the most partis down-time for the patient with little productivity; however, homeamenities are clearly lacking at in-center treatment facilities, andattempts to make the patient treatment area more hospitable have notbeen successful.

In U.S. Pat. No. 6,243,993, issued to Swensson on Jun. 12, 2001,entitled “MODULAR HEALTHCARE ROOM INTERIOR,” a modular patienthealthcare room interior assembly is taught for establishing ahealthcare room in an unfinished space of a building. Each wall panelsegment includes a finished interior wall surface. A divider may be usedto separate the room into a bedroom and a bathroom. A prefabricatedbathing unit is located in the bathroom, along with a nurse's station. Amedical gas rail is also included in the room interior. This design ismade to accommodate rapid installation of a hospital room setting. It ismodular with extensive prefabrication of stations and other features.All of the components are designed to be fabricated at one or more offsite locations and then transported to the onsite assembly point. Thedesign does not teach, nor does it suggest, a conversion of an otherwiseoperating in-center treatment facility into a pseudo-home treatmentfacility.

In U.S. Publication No. 2002/0157330, issued to Lee, Md., entitled“SINGLE HEALTH ROOM,” a modular room is taught, in essence a singlehealth room. As depicted in the figures of the Lee invention, the singlehealth room resembles a closet or enclosed shelter having automatictemperature and humidity control and air purifying equipment. It hassound-proof walls, audio equipment, and an independent supply of oxygen;in an effort isolate the user from outside interruptions, thus restingthe user. It is designed for removing displeasing noises and pollutedair. It is not designed for dialysis treatment, and implementation in adialysis treatment center would be counterintuitive to the designapproach of total isolation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Bearing in mind the problems and deficiencies of the prior art, it istherefore an object of the present invention to provide a suite foraccommodating a patient undergoing dialysis therapy that is available atan in-center treatment facility, but is made to resemble a homeenvironment to give the patient amenities normally associated within-home treatment without having to cope with the drawbacks of homedialysis.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a dialysistreatment facility that includes a plurality of suites with each suitefabricated to include all of the necessary medical equipment fordialysis treatment as well as numerous home amenities or work relatedamenities to make the patient's stay more relaxing and/or moreproductive during dialysis treatment.

A further object of the invention is to provide a dialysis treatmentfacility that includes a plurality of suites, each having a differenttheme orientation to give each patient a different experience that helpsdivert the patient during hours of treatment.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a plurality ofsuites for a dialysis treatment facility having themes for childrenundergoing the treatment, wherein the ambiance of each themed suite issuitable for the interests of children and adolescents.

Still other objects and advantages of the invention will in part beobvious and will in part be apparent from the specification.

The above and other objects, which will be apparent to those skilled inthe art, are achieved in the present invention which is directed to in afirst aspect, an in-center dialysis treatment facility comprising aplurality of suites for providing simultaneous dialysis treatment toout-patients, each suite including: dialysis equipment for dialysistreatment of each of the out-patients; video equipment for in-situremote monitoring of the out-patients during treatment; a fullyreclinable dialysis chair and/or adjustable bed; and furniture and décorto give each out-patient a treatment experience that resembles receivingtreatment in a home.

The plurality of suites resembling a home includes: a flat screenmonitor; Internet access via the flat screen monitor; a private sink; aprivate bathroom; a bookshelf including a selection of books; games,including electronic video games with accessories for more than oneplayer; a DVD player in electrical communication with the flat screenmonitor; a DVD library; a coat closet; and a small table with chairs forguest accommodation.

The in-center facility further includes a plurality of office suitesresembling office accommodations, comprising office furniture and décorto give an out-patient a treatment experience that allows theout-patient an opportunity to perform work related tasks duringtreatment. Each of the plurality of office suites includes: Internetaccess; a computer having software for performing general businesstasks; a fax machine; a copy machine; a telephone including conferencingfeatures; a printer in electrical communication with the computer; andwriting and note taking supplies; all of which are accessible to theout-patient while receiving treatment in the reclinable dialysis chairand/or adjustable bed.

The plurality of suites may also include at least one theme-orientedsuite for dialysis treatment including: dialysis equipment for dialysistreatment the out-patient; video equipment for in-situ remote monitoringof the out-patient during treatment; a fully reclinable dialysis chairand/or adjustable bed; and furniture and décor to give the out-patientan experience of receiving treatment in an environment that resemblesthe theme.

The theme-oriented suites will include accommodations for seasonalthemes and décor, a geographic location suite, a sports oriented suite,a hobby oriented suite, and any number of pediatric oriented suites, orany combination thereof.

In a second aspect, the present invention is directed to a method ofproviding a comfortable setting for administering dialysis treatment toa plurality of out-patients at an in-center facility comprising:providing a plurality of suites for simultaneous dialysis treatment toaccommodate the plurality of out-patients; preparing the suites fortheme-oriented accommodations including having the plurality of suitesresemble a room in a home, an office, a geographic location, a seasonaltheme, a sports theme, a variety of hobby enthusiast themes, childrenoriented themes, or any combination thereof; administering dialysistreatment to each of the plurality of out-patients in the suites,wherein each of the plurality of suites includes dialysis equipment fordialysis treatment of the out-patients; providing a fully reclinabledialysis chair or adjustable bed for each of the plurality ofout-patients for the dialysis treatment; and monitoring each of theplurality of out-patients in-situ during treatment using video equipmentin electrical communication with display equipment at a centralizednursing station.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features of the invention believed to be novel and the elementscharacteristic of the invention are set forth with particularity in theappended claims. The figures are for illustration purposes only and arenot drawn to scale. The invention itself, however, both as toorganization and method of operation, may best be understood byreference to the detailed description which follows taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a sketch of a dialysis suite of the present invention,depicting typical home amenities that allow an in-center treatmentfacility to provide comforts not afforded out-patients.

FIGS. 2A-2C depict schematic example elevations of private treatmentrooms within an in-center facility that include a plurality of suitesfor dialysis treatment, each suite designed to have a diverse theme,allowing a patient have an opportunity to work, relax, or experience aunique setting during the extended time of treatment.

FIG. 2A depicts a schematic example elevation of a private treatmentroom having a flat-screen digital television presented on a wall havingstorage drawers and shelves for patient use, along with desk.

FIG. 2B depicts a schematic example elevation of a private treatmentroom having raised panel cabinets and a wardrobe cabinet, sink, withcountertop to give a home environment atmosphere for the patient.

FIG. 2C depicts a schematic example elevation of a private treatmentroom having a cabinet elevation for electronic equipment, such as for aDVD player, computer, music player, and slide-out desk.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

In describing the preferred embodiment of the present invention,reference will be made herein to FIGS. 1-2 of the drawings in which likenumerals refer to like features of the invention.

The present invention allows a dialysis patient to choose from aplurality of suites that are fabricated to accommodate different themes,for example, a home setting, an office setting, and a recreationalsetting, to name a few. Each suite includes a private, walled roomutilized for the delivery of dialysis treatment to a patient under theprescription and care of a nephrologist. For those patients who do notprefer a hospital setting, nor prefer to experience the drawbacks ofhome dialysis, including having to deal with the equipment in theirhome, the present invention teaches a suite of rooms in an officecomplex in travel distance to the patient's home that allows for all theamenities of the home, office, or other themed environment, allowing anindividual patient to undergo treatment in a private setting, but stillremain in a facility having direct access to fully maintained, modernequipment, and a professional medical staff.

For a suite fabricated to resemble a home environment at an in-centerfacility, the fabricated room is designed to offer the followingspecific amenities which are not available in treatment rooms in aclinic treatment area: a) flat screen TV; b) Internet access via flatscreen TV; c) private sink; d) private bathroom; e) bookshelf withbooks; f) games; g) DVD library; h) coat closet; small table with chairs(for guest accommodation); i) independent HV/AC system; j) remotemonitoring system (via closed-circuit TV); and k) fully reclinabledialysis chair and/or adjustable bed.

For a suite fabricated for an office setting, designed amenities wouldinclude: a) Internet access; b) computer; c) fax machine; d) copymachine; e) telephone with multiple features such as conference calling,and the like; f) printer; and g) writing and note taking supplies.

For a themed suite other than that resembling a home environment or anoffice environment, themed accoutrements are designed into the suite,and utilized to give the patient a specific experience. For example, asuite may be made to have the patient experience relaxing on anocean-exposed porch at sunset, including providing sound replications,mild environmental conditions, with themed décor to enhance thepatient's experience. In another example, the suite may be designed anddecorated for pediatric patients with cartoon themed wallpaper,furniture, electronic gaming equipment, and the like.

FIG. 1 is a sketch of a dialysis suite of the present invention,depicting typical home amenities that allow an in-center treatmentfacility to provide comforts not generally afforded out-patients. Areclinable dialysis chair 12 is situated next to an end-table 14 and inview with a flat-screen digital television 16 that may be adapted foruse with a computer and capable of Internet access for thepatient/viewer. Dialysis equipment may be hidden from view, stored instorage compartment 18, which allows the in-center treatment room toresemble more closely a home environment. Other medical supplies arekept from view when not in use in cabinet 20. Chairs 22 and table 24 areadded for visitors. A second suite, independent of and adjacent to thisliving room suite, may emphasize a business environment for anotherpatient, complete with fax machine, versatile telephone connections, aworking table, and other office amenities. A third suite may have a morerecreational theme associated with it, including themed furniture,décor, and other associated amenities to allow the patient to experiencea setting unrelated to the home, office, or institutionalized hospitalenvironment. In this manner, a plurality of different suites may befabricated in a single in-center facility to provide simultaneoustreatment to several individual patients, giving each patient adifferent experience depending upon the patient's needs or desires.

FIG. 2 depicts schematics of example elevations of private treatmentrooms within an in-center facility that include a plurality of suitesfor dialysis treatment, each suite designed to have a diverse theme,allowing a patient have an opportunity to work, relax, or experience aunique setting during the extended time of treatment. For example, inFIG. 2A, flat-screen digital television 16 is presented on a wall havingstorage drawers 30 and shelves 32 for patient use, along with desk 34.FIG. 2B depicts raised panel cabinets 36 and a wardrobe cabinet 38, sink40, with countertop 42 to give a home environment atmosphere for thepatient. FIG. 2C provides a cabinet elevation for electronic equipment,such as for a DVD player 44, computer 46, music player 48, and slide-outdesk 50.

For recreational themes, flooring, walls, and ceiling are designed togive the patient an experience other than home or office. Differentsuites may accommodate different settings (seasonal scenes), exoticvacation scenes, or other experience, made specifically for thepatient's comfort and relaxation. Extra attention for the design ofsuites used for pediatric patients is especially helpful in divertingthe attention of the young patients.

In order to allow the professional staff the ability to monitor eachpatient during treatment, the present invention allows for in-situ videomonitoring in addition to the typical electronic monitoring of patientvitals and dialysis equipment status. Video monitoring equipment islocated in each suite and connected to displays at the Nurse Stationconsole. The video equipment is conspicuously located in each suite in amanner that does not call attention to the equipment, and does notinterfere or otherwise distract from the selected theme for the suite.

While the present invention has been particularly described, inconjunction with a specific preferred embodiment, it is evident thatmany alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent tothose skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. It istherefore contemplated that the appended claims will embrace any suchalternatives, modifications and variations as falling within the truescope and spirit of the present invention.

1. An in-center dialysis treatment facility comprising a plurality ofsuites for providing simultaneous dialysis treatment to out-patients,each suite including: dialysis equipment for dialysis treatment of eachof said out-patients; video equipment for in-situ remote monitoring ofsaid out-patients during treatment; a fully reclinable dialysis chairand/or adjustable bed; and home furniture and décor to give eachout-patient a treatment experience that resembles receiving treatment ina home.
 2. The in-center dialysis treatment facility of claim 1 whereinsaid plurality of suites resembling a home includes: a flat screenmonitor; Internet access via said flat screen monitor; a private sink; aprivate bathroom; a bookshelf including a selection of books; games,including electronic video games with accessories for more than oneplayer; a DVD player in electrical communication with said flat screenmonitor; a DVD library; a coat closet; and a small table withaccompanying chairs for guest accommodations.
 3. The in-center dialysistreatment facility of claim 1 wherein said video equipment for in-situremote monitoring of said out-patients includes a closed-circuit TVmonitoring system.
 4. The in-center dialysis treatment facility of claim2 wherein each suite includes an independent, individually operatedHV/AC system.
 5. The in-center dialysis treatment facility of claim 1including a plurality of office suites resembling office accommodations,comprising office furniture and décor to give an out-patient a treatmentexperience that allows said out-patient an opportunity to perform workrelated tasks during treatment.
 6. The in-center dialysis treatmentfacility of claim 5, wherein each of said plurality of office suitesincludes: Internet access; a computer having software for performinggeneral business tasks; a fax machine; a copy machine; a telephoneincluding conferencing features; a printer in electrical communicationwith said computer; and writing and note taking supplies; all of whichare accessible to said out-patient while receiving treatment in saidreclinable dialysis chair and/or adjustable bed.
 7. An in-centerdialysis treatment facility including a plurality of theme-orientedsuites for dialysis treatment of out-patients including: dialysisequipment for dialysis treatment said out-patients; video equipment forindividual, in-situ, remote monitoring of said out-patients duringtreatment; a fully reclinable dialysis chair and/or adjustable bed ineach of said theme-oriented suites; and furniture and décor to give saidout-patients an independent experience of receiving treatment in anenvironment that resembles said theme.
 8. The in-center dialysistreatment facility of claim 7 wherein said plurality of theme-orientedsuites includes accommodations for seasonal themes and décor, ageographic location suite, a sports oriented suite, a hobby orientedsuite, or a pediatric or child themed suite, or any combination thereof.9. A method of providing a comfortable setting for administeringdialysis treatment to a plurality of out-patients at an in-centerfacility comprising: providing a plurality of suites for simultaneousdialysis treatment to accommodate said plurality of out-patients;preparing said suites for theme-oriented accommodations including havingsaid plurality of suites resemble a room in a home, an office, ageographic location, a seasonal theme, a sports theme, a hobbyenthusiast theme, a child-oriented theme, or any combination thereof;administering dialysis treatment to each of said plurality ofout-patients in said suites, wherein each of said plurality of suitesincludes dialysis equipment for dialysis treatment of said out-patients;providing a fully reclinable dialysis chair or adjustable bed for eachof said plurality of out-patients for said dialysis treatment; andmonitoring each of said plurality of out-patients in-situ duringtreatment using video equipment in electrical communication with displayequipment at a centralized nursing station.
 10. The method of claim 9including providing furniture and décor to give each out-patient atreatment experience that resembles receiving treatment in said home,office, geographic location, seasonal environment, sports environment,hobby enthusiast environment, children oriented or any combinationthereof.